Ministry of Education

Parliament hears of shocking violence and abuse in schools

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Parliament hears of shocking violence and abuse in schools

Extreme cases of violence and misconduct involving students and teachers, including sexual abuse, drug use, and assaults, were discussed in a closed-door session of the House Education Committee. A deadline was set for the Ministry of Education to present a plan for creating a unit to support children with extreme behavior. The Minister of Education announced the preparation of a proposal for an alternative attendance program for such cases. Additionally, a new electronic student file system will be introduced to provide immediate access to information about each child for relevant services. The Minister highlighted the importance of prevention and timely intervention in addressing violence and delinquency in schools.

Cyprus approves school CCTV system after privacy review

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Cyprus approves school CCTV system after privacy review

The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth received approval to install a Closed-Circuit Video Surveillance System (CCVSS) in schools after consulting with the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection. Cameras will be placed at entrances, exits, and perimeters of schools, with recording limited to school grounds and excluded private or public areas. The system will operate outside school hours, with footage stored for 72 hours and access strictly controlled. Warning signs will be placed to inform the public. The approval allows the Ministry to proceed with a pilot program in ten schools initially.

Parliament discusses challenges of parental alienation cases

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Parliament discusses challenges of parental alienation cases

A father shared his distress at not seeing his two sons, aged 15 and 13, for five years. Issues of parental alienation, gaps in legislation, lack of structures, and understaffing in Social Welfare Services were highlighted. The father claimed the mother neglected the children and falsely accused him of abuse. Another complainant struggled to see his 9-year-old daughter due to the mother’s interference. The Committee also discussed cases of parental alienation and the lack of psychological support for children and parents.

Young artists shine in Cyprus’ school theatre competitions

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Young artists shine in Cyprus’ school theatre competitions

The Cyprus School Theatre Competitions, organised by the Ministry of Education and THOC, are concluding with two ceremonies at the Central Stage of Evi Gavrielidis Hall in Nicosia. The competitions involve thousands of children and educators from across Cyprus staging theatrical performances. The ceremony on April 10th will honour Gymnasiums, with a performance of “Iphigenia” by the Apostolos Pavlos Gymnasium. The ceremony on April 11th will celebrate Lyceums, featuring a performance of “Oedipus Tyrannus” by the Pancyprian Gymnasium. Schools that won first prize were chosen through a draw to perform on the honorary stage of THOC. Educator Stavros Antonopoulos will also be awarded during the April 11th ceremony. Both events are part of the “Theatre in Palm” platform supporting young artists and are not open to the public due to the large number of participants.

Potential teachers failing exams to get post in schools

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Potential teachers failing exams to get post in schools

– Exams for prospective teachers in public schools had dramatic failure rates for those wishing to teach Greek and Maths.
– Pass rates for Philology and Maths teachers were just seven percent.
– Pass rates for kindergarten and primary school teachers were 43 and 11 percent respectively.
– There are concerns about inconsistencies in testing and the assessment of teaching skills through a single exam.
– The education ministry acknowledges a problem in the knowledge base for Greek, Maths, and primary school teachers.
– Candidates can re-sit the exam and results are calibrated against previous years’ aggregated results.

Lidl Cyprus: Practices with a positive impact on people and society

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Lidl Cyprus: Practices with a positive impact on people and society

Lidl Cyprus aims to consistently leave a positive imprint on the country by focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility.

€50 million investment drives luxury housing in Livadia

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€50 million investment drives luxury housing in Livadia

Livadia is one of the most rapidly developing areas of Cyprus, with significant investments and construction growth. The area has seen a surge in interest following the removal of oil tanks and the lifting of the Seveso directive. A €50 million investment from an Israeli company is underway for luxury apartments, with plans for a boutique hotel. Road works are needed to accommodate the population increase, including the completion of Panagouli Avenue. The area also requires new schools, with projects underway for a regional Primary School and redevelopment of the traditional core of the community.

Personnel costs and social benefits dominate Cyprus’s budget

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Personnel costs and social benefits dominate Cyprus’s budget

The main categories of state expenditures in the Republic of Cyprus for fiscal year 2023 include personnel wages, pensions, and bonuses, social benefits, and transfers. Social benefits also include the government’s contribution to the General Health Plan. The number of personnel has fluctuated over the years, with an increase in wage expenditures. Pensions and bonuses increased by 7% in 2023. The largest part of wage expenditures is for educators in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth. Social benefits include medical care, emergency grants, emergency humanitarian incidents, and supplementary pension benefits. The total amount of loans as of December 31, 2023, stood at €22.18 billion. State financing is mainly done through European Medium-Term Notes and loans from the European Stability Mechanism. Approved expenditures for 2023 were €12 billion, with actual expenditures reaching €10.92 billion. Total revenues for 2023 were €9.94 billion, resulting in a state budget deficit of €0.98 billion.

Kindergarten registration dates announced

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Kindergarten registration dates announced

The 2024 Amendment Law on Primary and Secondary Education in Cyprus has been passed, extending free compulsory pre-primary education from the age of four.